pope benedict officially steps down february 28. then the college of cardinals will meet in a papal conclave held in the sistine chapel to elect a new pope. by vatican law, all cardinals under 80 at the time of voting are allowed to cast a ballot. 118 now meet that standard. >> without doubt, this is an historic moment. right now 1.2 billion catholics the world over are holding their breath. >> suarez: benedict himself will have no official role in choosing his own successor, but 67, more than half the voting-he will vibl cardinals, were appointed by him including the archbishop of washington cardinal donald whirl. >> we will be looking for someone who is a very articulate voice in that continuity. but i think we also will be looking for someone who will carry on the spiritual traditions that pope benedict has so focused on. >> suarez: more than half the current cardinals come from europe but more than half the world's catholics now live in africa and latin america. already there's speculation the next pontiff may be the first non-e